Interesting and funny fact...

In 1965, the members of the Stock Exchange Club of Adelaide dined at the South Australian Hotel. The guest of honour was Sir Robert Menzies. During his speech, Sir Robert declared the 1961 Yalumba Galway Vintage Special Reserve Claret, "to be one of the finest Australian wines I have ever tasted".

In April 1987, Yalumba harvested the first grapes from a Coonawarra vineyard known as the Menzies block... hence the release of "The Menzies" Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon on the 15th May 1990.

But... we find this amusing as the Dead Reds Five winner was in fact the 1958 version of Yalumba Galway Claret... on a road to bigger and better things and certainly not dead yet (ie to be named after Menzies).

We'd like to thank Robert Hill Smith, from the The Yalumba Wine Company himself for this little gem of information via Bunty the winner with the '58 - taaaa :))

xc

PS I hear from Bunty she has an even better dead ready to share in the new year... I'm thinking the competition will be fierce next year!!!

Dead Reds Wake 5 went OFF

Dead Reds Wake 5 went OFF on Friday nite at the Royal Hotel in Kent Town. Literally!! We had way too many dead bottles of wine to choose from. That said, nothing (and I mean NOTHING) beat the 1958 Yalumba Claret (big thanks to Bunty & Michael for unearthing this little gem). It was simply disgusting. And so bad was the colour and smell, that no one would put it near their lips!!

Scott Collett from the Woodstock Winery totally agreed. His own not coming even close to being dead!!

Personal thanks to Bruce for stepping in as MC (in Steve's absence) and Jim for his judging efforts again. Thank you to Dana and Stephen for their fotos, to make us all laugh. If you haven't found them yet - they are here [Stephen's: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2023458&id=1608354735 ] [Dana's: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=108048&id=683547357] [Charlie's: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2023458&id=1608354735 ]

Big big thanks to YOU, the deaders group. You are simply the best vintage of them all. Without your support and dedication to this fun different concept for a wine group, it wouldn't be here today. Its now larger than life and the events are enjoyed by many. I've had requests from all over to copy the theme and replicate the events. Happy to help with ideas if you want to hold something local to you.

I'm taking a break til next year... so stay tuned for Wake 6 news in January 2010.

In the meantime please continue to support the Heart Foundation and all our wine sponsors. It means a lot to all of us.

"Drink Red with Heart and Celebrate Life : Drink Red with Heart and Be A Part"

http://www.everydayhero.com.au/deadreds